Orcus in Astrology Blog
Orcus was a god of the Underworld and punisher of broken promises, agreements or contracts in Etruscan and Roman religion.
The origins of Orcus lay in Etruscan religion, that were heavily influenced by both Greek and Roman mythology and religion, sharing many similarities. Orcus had many associations with other underworld gods such as Pluto, Hades, Horkos, Dis-pater, etc.
Although Orcus could refer both to the underworld itself and the deity, just like Hades is referred to as hades (hell), Orcus was believed to be an abode for purification of the souls of the deceased, for a rite of passage of sorts, that did exist. From the association with death and the underworld, his name came to be used for demons and other underworld monsters. However, a more modern interpretation can be found in the stories of multiple other Underworld gods and goddesses on this website. They describe individuals who went deep inside themselves - into their own unknown - to root out the distortions of truth that they had held. Also, the illusions or delusion they may have had about themselves and others, metaphorically dying to the old scripts. Also allowing the seeing of the blindspots that had kept them ‘blind’. And by illuminating the blindspots, in effect eliminating them. The underworld isn’t so bad when you are no longer in denial. In fact, there is peace when the perceived monsters no longer haunt you into seeing the truth, that you are hiding from inside yourself… The scary internal landscape that many people fear to go into, stirs fear only until the unknown is explored, then no more… see the details in the articles listed below.
In the discovery chart, Orcus at 24 Leo is opposed to the ruler of Leo, the Sun, conjunct object Gonggong. There seems to be an element of seeing one’s self from a different point of view, like looking in a mirror, perhaps from a detached point of view (Sun in Aquarius) conjunct Gonggong with its elements of disaster preparedness and having to mitigate sudden events, or discoveries that may be shocking (Uranus). Orcus is also in wide conjunction to Mercury the psychopomp of the zodiac, which entails a sojourn through the Underworld, to find wisdom there, and bring it to awareness (Aquarius).
Orcus demands respect for oaths, and to swear by Orcus is to accept that being in denial of an oath or breaking such a vow is not amenable, nor palatable, even if the wronged party is willing to make concessions. Those with Orcus prominent in the birth chart may experience that retribution (to be truthful) is a recurring theme - in some form - in life.
Orcus also have an association with Horkos who hunts down those who break their promises, use words wrongfully that harms commitments or solemn pledges of loyalty. Horkos is one of the children of Eris Goddess of Discord and Strife in Greek mythology. Karma. Cause and Effect.